The General Market Price Index (IGP-M) fell 1.08% in December, compared to a 0.49% drop in November. With this result, the index ends the year at a rate of 7.54%. In December 2017, the index had grown 0.89% and reached an accrued drop of 0.52% in 12 months.

The Broad Producer Price Index (IPA) slowed down from -0.81% in November to -1.67% in December. In the analysis by processing stages, the rate of the Final Goods group varied 0.07% in December, compared to -0.84% in the previous month. The main contribution to this result came from the fuel for consumption subgroup, which varied from -12.43% to -8.83% over the same period. The Final Goods (ex) category, which excludes the fresh foods and fuel for consumption subgroups, rose 0.39% in December, compared to 0.13% in the previous month.

The Intermediate Goods group varied from -0.55% in November to -2.66% in December. The main reason for such downturn was the materials and components for manufacturing subgroup, which dropped from 0.11% to -2.13%. The Intermediate Goods (ex) rate, excluding the fuel and lubricants for production subgroup, varied -1.38% in December, compared to -0.08% in the previous month.

The rate for the Crude Raw Materials recorded a steeper drop, falling from -1.10% in November to -2.45% in December. The following items contributed to the drop in the group’s rate: iron ore (5.95% to -3.61%), oranges (4.66% to -7.37%) and manioc (cassava) (8.81% to -1.26%). The following items stood out In the opposite direction: corn (grain) (-7.66% to 1.38%), soy (beans) (-6.24% to -3.96%) and cattle (-0.87% to 1.47%).

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) varied 0.04% in December, compared to 0.09% in November. Five out of eight expense classes that make up the index recorded decreasing variation rates. Transport was the main contributor (-0.10% to -0.90%). Within this expense category, it is important to highlight the behavior of the gasoline item, which fell from -1.10% to -5.17%.

The Food (0.68% to 0.44%), Health and Personal Care (0.36% to 0.17%), Clothing (0.27% to 0.19%) and Communication (0.14% to 0.06%) groups also dropped in the period. The following items were the main drivers behind this trend: herbs and vegetables (18.37% to 6.99%), hygiene and personal care items (0.29% to -0.72%), women’s clothes (0.70% to 0.02%) and landline phone and internet plans (0.62% to 0.23%).

On the other hand, the Housing (-0.65% to -0.21%), Education, Reading and Recreation (0.37% to 1.13%) and Miscellaneous Expenses (0.05% to 0.21%) groups recorded increasing variation rates. In these classes, the following items had the greatest increases: household power bill (-4.18% to -2.67%), airfare (5.55% to 17.55%) and postal fees (2.26% to 3.49%).

The Civil Construction Index (INCC) varied 0.13% in December, compared to 0.26% in November. Prices for Materials, Equipment and Services rose 0.28%, compared to 0.56% in the previous month. The Manpower cost index did not show any variation.

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